Portsmouth City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Mark A. Hugel
Candidate for City Council (incumbent)
Mark A. Hugel, the incumbent, is running for Portsmouth City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 5 candidates are running for 3 seats.
Last day of early in-person voting · Sat, Oct 31, 2026
Retired Navy rear admiral and the 100th commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Later led Navy logistics work as a senior vice president at CACI International and retired from CACI in January 2025.
- Endorsed by
- Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; Coastal Virginia Association of Realtors Mark Hugel campaign
- Campaign website
- www.markhugel.com
Where Mark A. Hugel stands: positions on the record
Budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on the $598 million FY 2027 operating budget ordinance (adopted 4-3, May 12, 2026).
Council voteCity of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026
Utility rates1 sourced position
Voted yes on increasing water and sewer rates (adopted 5-2, May 12, 2026).
Council voteCity of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026
New City Hall2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the $2.9 million interim agreement to design a new City Hall and parking garage (adopted 6-1, May 12, 2026).
Council voteCity of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026
Says moving City Hall off the waterfront and demolishing the former civic center will open more housing and retail opportunities downtown.
“Moving City Hall off the waterfront and demolishing the former civic center will open even more housing and retail opportunities downtown.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
School sales tax2 sourced positions
as reported by The Virginian-Pilot; not a direct quote
Signaled opposition to the proposed 1% sales tax for school infrastructure when candidates were asked for a yes or no answer at the Sept. 30 forum.
Forum answerThe Virginian-Pilot · Oct 1, 2026
Voted yes on the resolution asking the court to put a 1% school sales tax referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (adopted 5-1, July 28, 2026).
Council voteCity of Portsmouth · Jul 28, 2026
Taxes2 sourced positions
Says the city has put about $6 million a year of casino revenue toward offsetting real estate taxes, allowing a 6-cent rate cut, while raising school funding.
“we have devoted approximately $6 million of that annual revenue to offset real estate tax revenue, which has allowed us to reduce the real estate tax rate by 6 cents”
Own statementWAVY
Says the tax burden can be lowered by cutting costs and spreading taxes across more taxpayers as new housing is built.
“There are two ways to lower the tax burden — cut costs and spread the tax burden across more taxpayers.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Housing2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a use permit for six townhouses at 2400 Airline Boulevard (denied 3-4, Aug. 25, 2026).
Council voteCity of Portsmouth · Aug 25, 2026
Voted yes on a use permit for seven townhomes at 1211 Rodman Avenue and 3614 Race Street (approved 4-3, Aug. 25, 2026).
Council voteCity of Portsmouth · Aug 25, 2026
City manager1 sourced position
Voted no on appointing Steven Carter as city manager (approved 4-3, March 2024).
Council voteWAVY · Mar 18, 2024
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Portsmouth City Council in 2022 (won).
Own statementVirginia Department of Elections
Also running for City Council
- Lisa L. Lucas-Burke
- William E. "Bill" Moody, Jr. (incumbent)
- Vernon Lamont Tillage, Jr. (incumbent)
- Mark M. Whitaker
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